Good News is the most recently released album to appear in the "Album Night" series thus far, and is actually only the second one to be released in this millennium (The Friends of Rachel Worth being the other).
When I first heard this album a couple of years ago I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. I must admit that despite being a present day songwriter and musician, I am generally unimpressed with the mainstream recorded music of today. This debut album by Withered Hand (the solo effort of Dan Wilson) is a real nice breath of fresh air and is proof that there is still captivating music out there if you are willing to dig past all that is being shoved down your throat.
The album starts off with "Providence", a song that feels as if it could easily be the closing track. Instead, as the first track, it sets the tone for what follows. Throughout the ten tracks of Good News, the lyrics weave through questions of life, the state of the present times, the merits and influence of religion, relationships, sex, masturbation and the memories of youthful innocence. Musically, through elegant banjos, guitars and harmonies, many of the songs simply feel like they just float, only making the religious overtones even more meaningful and poignant. Although Wilson uses crude language at times, the lack of hatred or animosity behind it prevents it from being offensive. It is simply another color used to paint the images of his songs and the feelings that run within them. Although two songs ("Joy" and "Hard-on") are covers, it is still Wilson's gentle singing and lyrics that bring the album to life. When he leaves you off with "For the Maudlin", you'll feel better for it and will undoubtedly be eager for another dose of Good News.
Wednesday, June 3rd "Album Night" roars back into this millennium with the 2009 release of Good News by Withered Hand. I hope you can join!
When I first heard this album a couple of years ago I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. I must admit that despite being a present day songwriter and musician, I am generally unimpressed with the mainstream recorded music of today. This debut album by Withered Hand (the solo effort of Dan Wilson) is a real nice breath of fresh air and is proof that there is still captivating music out there if you are willing to dig past all that is being shoved down your throat.
The album starts off with "Providence", a song that feels as if it could easily be the closing track. Instead, as the first track, it sets the tone for what follows. Throughout the ten tracks of Good News, the lyrics weave through questions of life, the state of the present times, the merits and influence of religion, relationships, sex, masturbation and the memories of youthful innocence. Musically, through elegant banjos, guitars and harmonies, many of the songs simply feel like they just float, only making the religious overtones even more meaningful and poignant. Although Wilson uses crude language at times, the lack of hatred or animosity behind it prevents it from being offensive. It is simply another color used to paint the images of his songs and the feelings that run within them. Although two songs ("Joy" and "Hard-on") are covers, it is still Wilson's gentle singing and lyrics that bring the album to life. When he leaves you off with "For the Maudlin", you'll feel better for it and will undoubtedly be eager for another dose of Good News.
Wednesday, June 3rd "Album Night" roars back into this millennium with the 2009 release of Good News by Withered Hand. I hope you can join!